The early history of arthroplasty in the United States

Arthroplasty is defined in the broadest sense as a reconstructive procedure that alters the structure or function of a joint. The first recorded proce dures done in the United States in the early nineteenth century and the int roduction of modern total joint replacement in the 1970s will be discussed, Although major surgical procedures occasionally were performed in the earl y 1800s, it was not until the introduction of general anesthesia and antise ptic techniques during the latter half of the nineteenth century that the f ield of surgery could be developed. Procedures involving the major joints o f the upper and lower extremities are described. These procedures include r esection and interposition arthroplasties, joint debridement, procedures do ne to correct complications of hip fractures and developmental dysplasia of the hip, cup arthroplasties, endoprosthetic replacement, hinge arthroplast ies, resurfacing procedures, and early total joint replacement.